Chapter 12: Hope or Trap

Maybe the heat was getting to me. Even with the housekeeper’s best cooking, nothing tasted right. After forcing down the last bite of pork chop and mashed potatoes, I barely made it to the bathroom before I started throwing up.

Suddenly, my heart stuttered.

I hadn’t had my period in months.

...

Given how reckless Ethan was, and the total lack of protection, I shouldn’t be surprised.

I’m pregnant!

The word echoed in my head, heavy as a church bell. Was this hope, or just another trap?

Ethan didn’t know yet. I stared at my flat stomach, wondering if the choice was even mine.

Lately, he’d been coming home early, wanting to hold me every night. Sometimes, I wondered if he was even the same man—the one who could kick me down just as easily as cradle me.

I’d hear him on the phone with his friends, laughing as he said:

"I’m keeping my wife company."

...

The guys on the other end would groan, loud enough for me to hear.

"Spoiling your little nutcase again…"

They all thought I was crazy. Maybe they were right.

One night, I had a nightmare. I couldn’t tell if it was a dream or a memory—Ethan and his gang cornering me in class, waving my test scores in my face. My grades were garbage, his were perfect. He’d laugh, dangling my test paper over my head:

"Damn, so stupid!"

...

I woke to the sound of cicadas outside. The night felt endless. Ethan slept beside me, breathing deep.

I climbed on top of him, hands around his throat.

In the dark, he looked helpless, almost peaceful.

"Planning to strangle me?"

"Ethan, you’re the one who dragged me to hell."

I tightened my grip. He just watched me, silent. I wondered if I could really do it—kill him, end it all. But I couldn’t. Even when he let me try.